Portugal has also put Uruguay aside after Ghana and thus qualifies for the next round at the World Cup. In a promising match, not Cristiano Ronaldo, but Bruno Fernandes turned out to be the finisher with service at Portugal.
Portugal – Uruguay in a nutshell:
- Key moment: Fifteen minutes before the end, the persistent pressure from Uruguay is just not rewarded. On a pass from Pellistri, Maxi Gomez scorched from the half moon in one time, but his icicle stranded on the post. Shortly afterwards, Suarez is also close to 1-1, he aims from close range into the side net.
- Man of the match: Ronaldo will grit his teeth that the first goal was ultimately credited to Bruno Fernandes, but there is nothing to argue with the performance of his former teammate at Manchester United. Fernandes also converted the self-forced penalty in the final phase and even flirted twice with a hat trick.
- Remarkable: After two matchdays at this World Cup, Bruno Fernandes is the only player to have multiple assists and goals. He led two goals against Ghana and scored twice against Uruguay. In his last five games for Portugal, Bruno Fernandes has been involved in eight goals. He scored five times and provided three assists.
Bentancur forgets to award a piece of art
Portugal against Uruguay, that was a reissue of the 1/8th final at the previous World Cup. Then Uruguay came out on top thanks to two goals from Cavani, who was preferred to Luis Suarez today at the Celeste. At Portugal, the 39-year-old Pepe was once again taken from the stable to replace the injured Danilo.
Portugal had the lion’s share of possession in the first half, but hardly created any chances. A volley from Carvalho, a deflected shot from Félix. Not bad at all, but not framed either. The fierce Uruguay kept the doors closed and did not get further than a header from Gimenez on the roof of the goal.
Around half an hour Bentacur suddenly unpacked with a wonderful flash of class. He put Dias and Carvalho to the wind with a masterly dribble, but forgot to crown his action. Face to face with Costa, he just missed the goalkeeper. The scream of frustration echoed through the Lusail stadium.
Fernandes guides Portugal to 1/8th finals
A rainbow flag on the field stormer caused the initial excitement after half-time, but Ronaldo demanded attention a few minutes later. He stroked a Bruno Fernandes cross and extended the ball into goal. Or so he wanted everyone to believe. The images showed a different story, the opening goal was scored by Fernandes.
Cavani had an excellent chance for the equalizer a few minutes later, but his volley went completely wrong. With some fresh forces between the lines, Uruguay systematically increased the pressure. Maxi Gomez’s shot hit the post, Suarez hit the side net from close range, De Arrascaeta collided with goalkeeper Costa.
Portugal occasionally saw stars, but finally pulled the sheet all to itself. In the final phase, the ball went to Gimenez’s hands on the spot and Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty flawlessly. It almost even became a hat-trick for the midfielder, goalkeeper Rochet and the post put a stop to it.
Thanks to the 6 out of 6, Portugal is already certain of a place in the 1/8th finals. For Uruguay it will be a lot of fighting on the final day in the match against Ghana.
Goalkeeper and post keep Fernandes from a hat-trick
Fernandes provides certainty from the spot: 2-0
